Date: Friday, 29th August Time: 11:00 AM Meeting Point: Outside Chelmsford Library
Join us for a fun and engaging community walk through the heart of Chelmsford as part of the Buzz in the City initiative. This 10km walk will take you on a journey to discover the beautiful Farleigh Hospice Bee Sculptures scattered across the city.
Whether you’re a keen walker, a lover of the outdoors, or simply looking for a way to connect with others in the community, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore, chat, and enjoy Chelmsford’s vibrant atmosphere.
What You Need to Know
Distance: 10km
Theme: Finding the Farleigh Hospice Bee Sculptures
Weather: Please dress appropriately for the day’s conditions
Refreshments: Bring your own snacks and drinks
This event is brought to you with the support of Kinder Essex. Let’s get moving, connect with nature, and celebrate the buzz in our city!
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
Kinder Essex, in partnership with Danbury Parish Council, is delighted to bring Hug in a Shrug to Danbury Leisure Centre – a warm and welcoming space for craft, conversation, and community kindness.
Join Kelly in the Dawson Cafe Bar for a relaxing session of creativity and connection. Whether you knit, crochet, sew, or enjoy any other craft, you’re welcome to bring your own project or join in with community kindness activities that support local people.
Event Details:
Where: Danbury Leisure Centre, Dawson Field, Main Road, Danbury, CM3 4NQ (Free parking available)
When:
First Wednesday of every month: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Third Monday of every month: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
There’s no need to book – simply come along with your craft materials. Refreshments are available for purchase from the lounge bar café.
Why join Hug in a Shrug?
Meet friendly, like-minded people from the local area
Share your skills or learn new ones
Take part in kindness projects making a real difference in the community
Looking for a fun, friendly, and active way to start your Friday mornings? Join the Walk, Talk, and Coffee group in Hockley and Hawkwell!
Every Friday at 9:30 AM, members meet at 1st Hawkwell Scout Hall, White Hart Lane, SS5 4DF for a refreshing walk in and around the scenic Hockley area. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, keep active, and meet new people.
The walks are relaxed and social, with plenty of chances to chat along the way. Afterward, you can unwind over a comforting cup of tea or coffee – the perfect way to end the week and begin the weekend.
Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, connect with your community, or simply enjoy nature, this welcoming group is open to everyone.
Details:
When: Every Friday, 9:30 AM
Where: 1st Hawkwell Scout Hall, White Hart Lane, SS5 4DF
Contact: Corrina O’Donnell, Kinder Essex Rochford Coach
Looking for a friendly way to connect with others, enjoy nature, and get some gentle exercise?
Mind in West Essex invites you to join our Walk & Talk sessions held every Wednesday at 10:00 AM in the beautiful Waltham Abbey Gardens.
This weekly community event offers the perfect opportunity to take a gentle stroll among the stunning gardens while engaging in friendly conversation with others. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, enjoy fresh air, or simply take a mindful break from your week, Walk & Talk is here for you.
Event Details:
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Waltham Abbey Gardens
Who: Everyone is welcome – no booking needed!
Why join?
Relax and unwind with a scenic walk
Meet new people from your local community
Boost your wellbeing through light exercise and conversation
So, lace up your walking shoes and come along – we’d love to see you there!
On Saturday, 13th September, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., CISCA House will open its doors for a special Services Open Day at Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0JA (adjacent to Paddocks Primary Care Centre).
This free community event is designed to connect older residents and their families with a variety of local services offering advice, information, and support. Visitors can drop in at any time—no booking required—and speak directly with organisations that can help with everything from staying safe at home to recognising scams.
Representatives from several key services will be present, including:
Hearing Help Essex
Oath Healthcare
Kinder Essex
Carers Choices
Castle Point Active
Rocialle Healthcare (formerly Ward Mobility)
And more, including local community and financial advice services.
Whether you have an elderly family member, a friend in need, or simply want to learn about available resources, this is the perfect opportunity to get informed in a friendly, welcoming environment.
And don’t forget—the CISCA House café will be open during the event, so you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while you browse and chat.
Everyone is welcome—come along and discover the support available in your community!
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
The Robin Cancer Trust is calling on Essex to pull on their walking shoes (and maybe some pants over their clothes!) for a fantastic day out – all in the name of raising awareness for testicular and ovarian cancer.
On Sunday 21st September, walkers will set off from Clacton Pier and stroll the scenic 7-mile route along the promenade to Walton Pier. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly event where you can walk at your own pace, enjoy the sea views, and even bring your four-legged friends along.
For those feeling extra energetic, there’s an optional return route – making it a 14-mile challenge.
Why “Pants to Cancer”?
The Robin Cancer Trust’s cheeky twist on the walk encourages participants to wear pants over their clothes, shouting “Pants to Cancer!” along the way. It’s a light-hearted way to spark conversations about serious cancers that often go undiscussed.
Event details:
Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Start: Clacton Pier
Finish: Walton Pier (or return walk back to Clacton)
Distance: 7 miles (14 miles optional return)
Entry: £10 per person
Includes: Finisher’s medal for all participants
Dogs: Welcome!
Funds raised will help the Robin Cancer Trust continue its life-saving awareness campaigns and community outreach.
A new Government consultation has been launched, inviting views on proposals to strengthen partnerships between emergency responders and voluntary, community, and faith-based organisations.
This consultation follows recommendations made by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and considers whether there should be legislative changes to reinforce these vital partnerships. The goal is to ensure Category 1 emergency responders—such as Essex County Council—are better supported through effective collaboration with civil society during times of emergency.
The Government is actively seeking feedback from a wide range of organisations, including those involved in:
Community support and mutual aid
Faith and religious communities
Emergency planning and response
Social services and disability advocacy
Culture, education, youth programmes, and more
This is an important opportunity for organisations across Essex to shape future policy and ensure the essential role of the voluntary, community, and faith sectors is both recognised and strengthened.
We encourage members of the Essex Faith Covenant, voluntary and community sector (VCS) networks, and other relevant groups to review the consultation and consider responding.
Families across Essex are facing daily challenges that no parent or child should have to endure.
Children’s charity, Home-Start Essex is calling on the local community to step up and help.
This September, Home-Start Essex is inviting Essex residents, families and businesses to take part in a 2K–5K sponsored walk completed anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace to raise money for families with young children who are struggling daily.
From poverty and poor mental health to bereavement and abuse, the challenges faced by families with children under five are more widespread than many realise.
Right now, local families with children under five are experiencing serious issues, including:
• Social isolation
• Children with physical or learning disabilities
• Parents with mental or physical health issues
• Living in poverty
• Domestic abuse
• Bereavement
• Being rehomed or living in temporary accommodation
Home-Start Essex steps in, helping families get back on their feet, find hope, and build a better future. Last year alone, they
supported 1025 families and 2116 children with:
• Home Visiting – Weekly support from trained volunteer mentors for families in need.
• Family Support Groups – Helping parents build confidence, resilience, and school readiness through play and peer
connection, including SEND, Family Fitness & Fun, and Baby Massage groups.
• Wellbeing Groups – Support for parents struggling with their emotional wellbeing, who may be facing trauma, grief,
or postnatal depression.
• Essential Supplies – Food, nappies, blankets, and fuel support for families in poverty or temporary housing.
• Behavioural & SEND Support – One-to-one and group help for parents of children with additional needs.
• Counselling – Mental health support, including for survivors of domestic abuse.
• Befriending Calls – A listening ear for parents who feel isolated and alone.
Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex says: “We work with families who, at times, feel like they have nowhere to turn. We’re there for families when they feel lost and alone, helping them find strength, rebuild their confidence, and create a better future for their young children. We need the kindness and support of our local community to help raise much needed funds to continue our services to support local families facing hardship.”
By simply walking 2K–5K during September, around your local park, to the shop, or as part of a team day at work, you can help raise vital funds to keep these life-changing services going.
Thanks to the Essex Fun Walk scheme, every donation will be increased by 30–40% match funding. That means a £10 donation could become £14 plus Gift Aid without you having to do anything extra.
Participants can choose to fundraise through sponsorship or simply donate themselves to take part.
Everyone who registers will receive a welcome pack with sponsorship forms and details on our just giving fundraising page
online.
It’s a simple walk, but it can change the course of a family’s life.
The Sport and Youth Mental Health Project, led by the Active Essex Foundation, has officially completed its first year as part of a three-year, National Lottery-funded initiative. Now entering its second year, the project continues to support young people across Essex through the power of sport and physical activity, aiming to improve mental wellbeing and build stronger communities.
We’re excited to share that our evaluation partner, Centre for Mental Health, has published the Year 1 Evaluation Report, offering detailed insights into the project’s early impact, learning, and areas for growth.
📄 Prefer a quick read? Check out the 2-page Executive Summary, highlighting key findings and recommendations for the next two years: Executive Summary – Key Insights (PDF)
We are thrilled to announce that the Jack Petchey Foundation is now accepting new applications from youth organisations to host an intern on our next internship programme. We will part-fund up to 20 internships for one year in youth organisations across London and Essex.
The Jack Petchey Internship Programme is designed to give young people a flying start in the youth sector and to help youth organisations increase the support they provide for young people in London and Essex. This will be the eighth cohort of our successful internship programme, which has so far supported over 170 young people into essential jobs in the youth sector.
You are eligible to apply for a grant to help fund a paid intern at your organisation starting in March 2026, if you:
🌟 are a youth charity or CIO working with young people in London or Essex
🌟 are currently running the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme
🌟 have an income between £150k and £5m
📅 Application deadline: 9am, Monday 8 September 2025.
🚨 Before starting your application, please read the application guidance notes very carefully, which includes details on eligibility criteria, what kind of roles we are looking to fund and what else is involved in hosting a Jack Petchey intern.
